System and method for processing ported calls

• US 6,836,542 B2
• Filed: 01/03/2003
• Issued: 12/28/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sprint Communications Company LP (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Original Assignee: Sprint Communications Company LP (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Inventors: Wiley, William L., Torrey, Jason P., Boldt, Dean C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hong, Harry S.
• Application Number:
  US10/336,212
• Publication Number:
  US 20030133561A1
• Time in Patent Office: 725 Days
• Field of Search: 370/395.1, 370/395.2, 370/397, 370/399, 370/409, 370/410, 370/522, 379/211.02, 379/220.01, 379/221.13, 379/221.14, 379/230
• US Class Current: 379/221.13
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4228 in networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42297 with number portability

Abstract

A system and method for connecting a call processes call signaling to determine if a call is a ported call or a non-ported call. A signaling processor determines if a ported number parameter (PNP), such as a forward call indicator (FCI) bit M and/or a ported number generic address parameter (GAP), is present. If the PNP is not present and the signaling processor determines the dialed number is a member of a portable number plan area and central office code combinations (NPA-NXX), the signaling processor queries a ported number database (PNDB). The PNDB responds with the called number dialed digits if the call is not a ported call or a location routing number (LRN) if the call is a ported call. The signaling processor appends a 1 to the nature of address (NOA) subfield of the called party number (CdPN) field if the call is a ported call. The signaling processor then partitions the call signaling parameters between ported or non-ported routing table translations, depending on whether the NOA is appended or not, to determine call routing connections and new call signaling. The appended 1 of the is appended NOA is removed prior to building an outgoing call signaling message.

Claims

1. A method for operating a signaling processor that partitions call processing logic into ported number call processing logic and non-ported number call processing logic, the method comprising:

receiving telecommunication signaling indicating a called number for a call;

determining whether the called number has been ported;

if the called number has been ported, adding a first indication to the telecommunication signaling to indicate that the called number has been ported;

processing the telecommunication signaling with the ported number call processing logic to determine call routing information in response to the first indication that the called number has been ported; and

removing the first indication from the telecommunication signaling after processing the call signaling with the ported number call processing logic.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

if the called number has not been ported, adding a second indication to the telecommunication signaling to indicate that the called number has not been ported;

processing the telecommunication signaling with the non-ported number call processing logic in response to the second indication that the called number has not been ported; and

removing the second indication from the telecommunication signaling after processing the call signaling with the non-ported number call processing logic.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein adding the first indication to the telecommunication signaling comprises adding the first indication to a called party number field.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein adding the first indication to the telecommunication signaling comprises adding the first indication to a nature of address field.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein adding the first indication to the telecommunication signaling comprises appending a 1 to a signaling parameter.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the routing information is used to interwork the call between a time division multiplex format and a packet format.

7. A method for operating a communication system including a signaling processor that partitions call processing logic into ported number call processing logic and non-ported number call processing logic, the method comprising:

in the signaling processor, receiving telecommunication signaling indicating a called number for a call;

in the signaling processor, determining whether the called number has been ported;

in the signaling processor, if the called number has been ported, adding a first indication to the telecommunication signaling to indicate that the called number has been ported;

in the signaling processor, processing the telecommunication signaling with the ported number call processing logic to determine call routing information in response to the first indication that the called number has been ported; and

transferring the call routing information from the signaling processor to an interworking unit; and

in the interworking unit, receiving the routing information and communications for the call, and in response, interworking the communications between a time division multiplex format and a packet format.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising:

in the signaling processor, if the called number has not been ported, adding a second indication to the telecommunication signaling to indicate that the called number has not been ported;

in the signaling processor, processing the telecommunication signaling with the non-ported number call processing logic in response to the second indication that the called number has not been ported; and

in the signaling processor, removing the second indication from the telecommunication signaling after processing the call signaling with the non-ported number call processing logic.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein adding the first indication to the telecommunication signaling comprises adding the first indication to a called party number field.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein adding the first indication to the telecommunication signaling comprises adding the first indication to a nature of address field.

11. The method of claim 7 wherein adding the first indication to the telecommunication signaling comprises appending a 1 to a signaling parameter.